Why is wheel alignment important?

• Does your car pull to the left or to the right? (you can test this if you momentarily take your hands off the steering wheel while driving).
• Is your steering wheel in the correct position when driving straight?
• Does the wear pattern on your tyres look odd?

If you answered yes then the chances are that the wheel alignment of the car is wrong.

WHEEL ALIGNMENT EXPLAINED BY OUR EXPERTS

Alignment problems occur when the suspension and steering systems do not operate at their designated angles.

Wheel alignment consists of adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are set to the car maker’s specification.

3 reasons why wheel alignment is required

• To stop the vehicle from pulling to one side
• To avoid undue wear on the tyres and the steering & suspension parts
• Ultimately, to ensure an excellent road holding.

All new vehicles leave the factory with their alignment checked and adjusted.

What causes wheel alignment issues?

Alignment problems are mostly caused by wear and tear on suspension and steering parts.

They can also be the result of an impact on pothole or curb or a change in ride height due to a lowered or raised suspension.

If the vehicle pulls to one side of the road, chances are that the alignment procedure will show a difference in caster on the left and the right side.

If the steering wheel has an incorrect position when driving straight, probably the individual toe on the front and all the rear wheels is incorrect.

In case of unusual tyre wear, the wear pattern can indicate the probable cause.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU GET A CAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT? 

A wheel alignment should be carried out:

• After any severe driving incidents.
• With every replacement of steering and suspension components.
• At any time after the vehicle has encountered a major road hazard or curve.

Not carrying out the wheel alignment procedures may result in the camber and toe specifications drifting outside the manufacturer’s limit. This may lead to the vehicle pulling and premature wear of the tyre and the suspension parts.

Tyre wear leads to frequent replacement of tyres and pull/drifting leads to premature wear of the suspension parts, all of which add unnecessary cost for the owner.

Make sure a full wheel alignment procedure is carried out accurately and to the correct technical standards once you have carried out the replacements of steering and suspension parts.

Correct wheel alignment saves money and makes happy customers!

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